Medical Assistant

32-credit Technical Diploma

As the demand for healthcare services continues to rise, medical assistants are needed to perform tasks in various clinical settings. The practice of medical assisting directly influences the public's health and well-being. In the Medical Assistant program, prepare for work in offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors and other healthcare practitioners by performing administrative, laboratory and clinical duties. Learn to take health histories, measure vital signs, administer medications, perform electrocardiograms and conduct laboratory tests. Career laddering can lead to roles of advanced responsibility such as office or clinic management. The Medical Assistant Program Goal is to prepare competent entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.

Progam Code 31-509-1

Required Courses

Traditional Option

Traditional Option

Pathway Option

Pathway Option

In traditional option programs, students register for and take a set number of courses each semester, usually five or six. Classes are scheduled throughout the day, and sometimes at night or on weekends, and completed in a conventional manner - two semesters each year.

Generally, most courses are taken on campus in a traditional face-to-face classroom setting. Many students who opt for the traditional college option are those who recently completed high school and those who do not hold full-time jobs.

Completing degree and diploma programs in a traditional manner generally takes one to two years, depending on number of credits and type of program; other completion option programs may be structured differently.

Total Semester Credits

14

View course descriptions of all required courses

View course descriptions of all required courses

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509-301 Medical Asst Admin Procedures

Become familiar with the principles of office management and business administration as applied to the medical office. Learn to schedule appointments, file, maintain records, perform telephone and reception duties, effectively communicate with patients and medical office staff and implement supply inventory processes.

509-302 Human Body in Health & Disease

Study normal body structure and function as well as the causes, signs and symptoms of diseases of the major body systems, as well as the diagnostic procedures, usual treatment, prognosis and prevention of common diseases.

509-303 Medical Asst Lab Procedures 1

Examine the laboratory procedures commonly performed in a medical office setting. Perform routine lab procedures in the ambulatory care setting under the supervision of a physician. Follow laboratory safety requirements and federal regulations while performing specimen collection and processing, microbiology, and urinalysis testing.

509-304 Medical Asst Clin Procedures 1

Become familiar with the clinical procedures performed in the medical office setting. Explore the basic examining room skills of screening, checking vital signs, taking a patient history, assisting with minor surgery and preparing a patient for routine and specialty exams in an ambulatory care setting.

501-101 Medical Terminology

Develop an understanding of medical terminology by breaking related words into prefixes, root words, and suffixes. Practice the formation, analysis, and reconstruction of terms, and learn correct spellings, definitions and pronunciations. Become familiar with the operative, diagnostic, therapeutic and symptomatic terminology of all body systems, and systemic and surgical terminology.

501-104 Culture of Healthcare

An introduction to the culture of healthcare for students interested in working in various healthcare settings. Learners examine professionalism, interpersonal and written communication skills, problem-solving skills and patient privacy and confidentiality issues as they relate to healthcare.

Approved Substitutes: 801-136 English Composition 1

501-107 Digital Literacy Healthcare

The focus of this course is the use of technology in healthcare. Learners use common business software applications, including word processing, presentation, spreadsheet, and databases. Communication methods using technology are addressed. Learners gain experience with using the electronic health record (EHR). Healthcare EHR security issues, social media use, and digital healthcare resources are examined.

501-308 Pharmacology for Allied Health

Learn how to classify medications into correct drug categories and use basic pharmacology principles. Apply the basic pharmacodynamics used in the identification, preparation and administration of common medications.

509-305 Med Asst Lab Procedures 2

Perform phlebotomy, immunology, hematology and chemistry laboratory procedures while under the supervision of a physician in an ambulatory care setting.

509-309 Medical Law, Ethics & Profess

Explore the concept of professionalism, and learn how to perform within ethical and legal boundaries in the healthcare setting. Practice maintaining confidentiality, examine legal aspects of medical records, perform risk management procedures, and examine legal and bioethical issues.

509-310 Medical Assistant Practicum

Integrate and apply knowledge and skills from all previous medical assistant courses in actual patient care settings. Perform medical assistant administrative, clinical, and laboratory duties under the supervision of trained mentors in order to effectively transition to the role of a medical assistant.

Pathway programs provide a progressive educational process. The pathway is structured so certificates can be taken one at a time, ladder into one another, and build toward longer-term credentials such as a technical diploma or associate degree. These additional skills then allow the student career advancement opportunities and higher earning potential.

Courses offered within a given pathway can be offered in more than one certificate; however, the specific course needs to be taken only once along the pathway as it leads to the diploma. For example: if a course is offered in the second certificate and also offered in the diploma, taking the course in the certificate eliminates the need to take it in the diploma.

Pathway courses shown in gray indicate a course that has been offered in a previous certificate listing.

Credit Transfer Opportunities

WCTC has agreements with local high schools and various four-year colleges and universities that enable students to transition more seamlessly from high school to WCTC to four-year colleges. Transcripted credit agreements provide high school students the opportunity to take WCTC courses at their high schools. Agreements with four-year colleges enable WCTC graduates in selected programs to transfer credits, often at junior-level standing. Agreements currently in place for this program are listed below.

Four Year College Transfer Opportunities

Program Specific Agreements

College

Program Name

Credits Awarded

General Agreements

There are currently no general college credit agreements for Medical Assistant. For more information, contact your academic advisor.

UW-System Credit Transfer

If you are interested in attending a UW-campus, you should contact a transfer representative at the campus you plan to attend. You may also check credit transfer agreements between WCTC and the UW System to tell you which specific courses and general education classes may be accepted.

Important Cautionary Note:
This information is intended as a general description. Please verify the availability and details of the program that interests you with the transfer coordinator at the receiving institution.

Certifications

Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers - American Heart Association

Teaching Philosophy

"It is my passion and privilege to stimulate student curiosity and learning by infusing real-life experiences into the classroom, encourage personal and professional development through the implementation of critical life skills and lifelong learning principles, and support each student in achieving their career goal of becoming a competent healthcare professional."

Education

BSN, Alverno College

MS, University of St. Francis

Teaching Philosophy

"Supporting student-centered education, I believe the role of the instructor is to guide students in their construction of knowledge and to assist their development of practical skills as they apply to their chosen field of interest."

Associate Dean

How to Apply

Visit the Admissions page for more information on how to complete these steps.

Scientific Literacy Lab

Hours

Monday

11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday

10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday

9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Thursday

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Friday

Closed

The Scientific Literacy Lab, located in Building H, Room H-218, is designed for School of Health student use. It is a resource for program students to enhance their learning in a variety of ways specifically related to body systems and medical terminology. Students will be able to assess areas of weakness and review specific body systems along with their physiology.

The lab:

Includes 14 computer stations and new curriculum software, which consists of self-study modules based on human body systems and medical terminology.

Is staffed by faculty to help students in the learning process.

Provides a collaboration corner for students to congregate and study.

Functions as a lab available for coursework and tutoring assistance.

Features a reference library to enhance student learning.

The lab is available for School of Health students at no charge. If you are interested in using the lab just stop in and learn how to register.

Hilde Dippel, Student

I’ve always been interested in medical assisting and I’m fascinated by the lab work. WCTC is a good value, and it’s an investment in yourself. It’s gearing me in the right direction and the education I’m getting here is wonderful.